How are WHSmith still in business?

RHemmings

ses6jwg wrote: »

I know SmithsNews supply most newsagents and other shops - perhaps this is propping up the retail arm

Don't they also supply porno to newsagents? I seem to recall that some years ago there was some fuss where WH Smiths were forcing newsagents to take porno with their magazine selections, but WH Smiths weren't selling it themselves. Or, have I got that wrong.

Clarieloo

I have often wondered this. It seems to me they are another "jack of all trades, master of none" operator. However, at airports and train stations they are always packed. I can only think these stores keep the rest of them going.

molerat

Was thinking the same this morning whilst wandering round my local with my 20% voucher in hand.

Untidy, cramped, high prices with loads of "offers" but still come out higher than most competitors. That said they had a few (note the word few) books at half price making them cheaper than the Tesco etc 2 for £7 and a game that I have just purchased from t'internet at £9.95 cheapest I could find price for £9.

The main problem that I have is the overall shopping experience is dreadful. The whole way the shops are laid out and the amount of promotional pos is a sign of desperation.

vikingaero

For me WHSmiths is the one of the worst stores on the High Street. Their prices are often ridiculous - especially when they promote something as half price and even at that price the product is still cheaper elsewhere on the High Street.

The queues are often appalling. I cannot understand the mindset of a business that allows people to queue and often walk away without any purchases. In my mind if a customer is offering money you grab that money as fast as possible. Sure in places like Aldi, Netto and Lidl you queue and know why you are queuing.

Contrast WHSmith with Lakeland where they ring the bell if no-one can serve you because all the assistants on tills are busy. I've even had arguments with a WHS manageress who rather than serve people on a till wanted to stand and watch.

alison999

ses6jwg wrote: »

You know when a company starts harassing you with "1/2 price" offers on items such as chocolate and drinks at the tills, they are not in good shape.

i read in a thread on here that they only offer the chocolate to fat people. maybe its because they have sympathy with other out-of-shape people :beer:

gemz20

Our whsmiths is a nightmare long ques and overpriced only reason i go in there is the main post office is in the store

Ste_C

If you can get past the people treating the magazine stands like a library then you can find some good magazines which aren't on sale in that many other places.

But generally everything is cheaper elsewhere. CDs, DVDs and games in particular are always sold at the RRP or release price whereas entertainment shops and websites are much cheaper.

I do like their stationery though as it's good quality and I like to wander about in Smiths as even though it's not cheap, it is a nice place to browse. I always liked it as a child.

But I agree that it's a surprise they're still in business. I'm not sure there's much place for "all under one roof" stores on the high street these days - unless it happens to be Tesco, Asda or Sainsburys...

bap98189

ses6jwg wrote: »

You know when a company starts harassing you with "1/2 price" offers on items such as chocolate and drinks at the tills, they are not in good shape.

Given the number of 1/2 price offers in my local Tesco, I find that theory a little flawed.

voiceofreason

bap98189 wrote: »

Given the number of 1/2 price offers in my local Tesco, I find that theory a little flawed.

A little bit different, this - it's the grunted "y'wanna'alfpricekitkatwivvat?" as you place the newspaper down on the counter to pay......

FatAndy

bap98189 wrote: »

Given the number of 1/2 price offers in my local Tesco, I find that theory a little flawed.

The difference is that in Tesco when you get to the till you don't get asked if you want a half price bin of beans or bag of sprouts. They make an assumption that if you haven't got an item in your trolley you don't want to buy it.